The Joy Of Failure: Survival Skills Of The European Clown*

The secret of the clown's work is that their job is rarely about being funny.

Their real challenge is to dispel anxiety and fear, insidious emotions which block people from their natural ability to experience beauty and humor.

The tools of the clown encourage us to lean into discomfort, celebrate mistakes, and open ourselves up to making an empathetic connection with an audience.

This unique approach to performance allows us to embrace the unexpected, think in a crisis situation, and remain absolutely present at all times when on stage.

* This is an abridged version of Russ Sharek's workshop which has been created especially for the students of the 2020 International Thespian Festival.